And for one more day they have a flicker of hope. Lost in this season of woe for the Yankees has been the incredible performance of Mariano Rivera. manager Joe Girardi, managing like there is no tomorrow, rightfully so, called on Rivera for another eighth-inning save last night in the Yankees, 2-1 win over the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.

Though so many other Yankees have failed to answer the call, here was Rivera doing his job yet again. One day after getting four outs for the win, Rivera got five outs for his 32nd save to make a rare winner out of Carl Pavano.

“When you talk about Mo it’s amazing what he does on a daily basis, on a yearly basis,” Girardi said. “He’s been perfect for us.”

The Perfect Yankee is saving the Imperfect Yankee.

Though Alex Rodriguez continues to struggle with runners in scoring position; and on a night Derek Jeter hit into a double play, struck out twice and grounded out and eighth-inning man Jose Veras struggled, Rivera was there to save them all.

Rivera not only had to get those last five outs, he had to get the last two outs of the eighth after Veras put runners on first and second.

Rivera got a force and then with a 1-2 count on Marco Scutaro, Rivera had to wait while a fan decided to flop into second base.

“I didn’t even know he was there. I just had to refocus again,” Rivera said.

After the fan was removed, by seven cops and security personnel, Rivera calmly struck out Scutaro, who last year beat Rivera with a home run.

It’s not surprising that Mariano didn’t even notice the fan rolling in from right field. He was too busy doing his job. If other Yankees could be like Rivera, this would be a team sailing into the postseason. Instead the Yankees won a game but lost another day on the calendar because the Red Sox also won.

It figures that now that Pavano is actually helping the Yankees, winning his second game, it’s a too little, too late kind of year.

The Red Sox remain six games ahead of the Yankees with 28 to play. The Yankees have a killer road trip facing them, but for the first time this year are playing with urgency. There are still many of the same problems. This was the 58th time they scored three runs or fewer in a game, something they did only 42 times last season.

But Rivera is there for them on a nightly basis. After striking out Alex Rios to start the ninth, he surrendered a single to Vernon Wells. Rivera had not allowed a hit to the previous 27 batters he had faced. He came back to strike out Adam Lind and get the force out for the save.

The Yankees still have a pulse, because of Rivera. This is the 12th straight season Rivera has posted 28 or more saves and the sixth straight season he has 30 or more saves.

Rivera has had a huge workload; this was the sixth time in the last eight outings that he has gone longer than an inning. He will get some help when Joba Chamberlain returns. Joba figures to land in the eighth inning.

“[Chamberlain] will have to pitch out of the bullpen,” Girardi said.

As for Rivera, he’ll just keep pitching and getting outs – three, four or five.

“We have to win games, this is the way we have to do it,” Rivera said. “I’m fine. As long as we win, it’s OK. We just have to play and win. We can’t think about somebody else.”

Rivera was asked if he is ever amazed by what he does. His answer was revealing.